Rising temperatures and sunshine pull perennials and a cavalcade of festivals from the winter soil and doldrums.

FloraFest: Find gardening inspiration with more than 35 arts and gardening vendors, food trucks, crafts for kids, a beer and Bellini garden, and more, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Cottonwood Center for the Arts, 427 E. Colorado Ave., free; 719-520-1899, cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com.  

Denver UkeFest: Ukuleles are smaller than guitars, with four strings instead of six strings, and produce a brighter and cheerier sound. They’re also easier to play. Celebrate them with a day of concerts and workshops. Featured performers include Brittni Paiva, Cynthia Lin and Steven Espaniola, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Swallow Hill Music, Daniels Hall, 71 E. Yale Ave., Denver, $63.25-$102.87; swallowhillmusic.org/ukefest. 

May 15-16: Estes Park Environmental Film Festival – Films depict adventures by mountain climbers, Australia’s remote Northern Territory, the future of water in the Rocky Mountains, and more. Live music, receptions and Q&As with filmmakers round out the weekend, Historic Park Theatre, 130 Moraine Ave. A, Estes Park, $35-$60; historicparktheatre.com/movie/environmental-film-festival-2026.

May 16-17: Garden of the Gods Art Festival – Beautiful art needs a beautiful backdrop. More than 150 juried fine artists and craftspeople from across the U.S. will converge on our famous local park. There will also be food, live music and activities for kids, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Rock Ledge Ranch, 3105 Gateway Road, $8-$10, free 11 and younger; dashevents.com/garden-of-the-gods-art-festival. 

May 22-24: MeadowGrass Music Festival – The Memorial Day weekend music festival in the forest spans many genres, including bluegrass, Americana, rock and folk, and welcomes local, regional and nationally-known musicians. This year’s big names include Banshee, ALO, Shook Twins and the Kyle Hollingsworth Band. In addition to the music are activities for kids, guided hikes, workshops, yoga and camping, La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, 6145 Shoup Road, $53.49-$315.99; rockymountainhighway.org/meadowgrass.

May 22-24: Vail Comedy Festival – More than 20 events, including comedy, films and magic, will populate Vail Village. Performers include Casey Balsham, Tom Thakkar, Nick Vatterott and Robby Slowik, 241 S. Frontage Road West, 
Vail, $40-$250; vailcomedyfestival.com.

May 22-25: Boulder Creek Festival – More than 30 bands on three stages should appease any ravenous lovers of live music. Pair that with more than 200 artisans and more than 30 restaurants, between 9th and 14th streets, between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, free; bouldercreekfest.com.

May 23-25: Territory Days – Old Colorado City, originally named Colorado City, honors its Western history as the Pikes Peak region’s first permanent town and first capital of the Territory of Colorado. The Memorial Day weekend event features dozens of arts and crafts vendors, live music, Native American dancers, Wild West gunfight re-enactments, and blacksmith demonstrations, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 23-24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 25, Colorado Avenue between 24th and 27th streets, free; shopoldcoloradocity.com/territory-days.

May 29-30: Mike the Headless Chicken Festival – The festival pays homage to Mike the rooster, who survived a beheading in the 1940s and lived for 18 months. The weekend offers comedy, contests, car show, a pancake breakfast, live music, and, of course, a Saturday night chicken dance, downtown Fruita, free; miketheheadlesschicken.org. 

May 29-31: Outside Festival – The celebration of outdoor culture and community will offer live music, speakers, adventure films, conversations with athletes, immersive outdoor experiences, the latest gear, and more, Auraria Campus, 1201 5th St., Denver, $119-$601.60, free 12 and younger with ticketed adult; outsidedays.outsideonline.com.